SWUTC Research Project Description
Title of Project: The Effect of Public Transit on Social and Economic Opportunities for Ethnic Minority Populations: Case studies of Providence youth and Huston-Tillotson University Students (continuation of SWUTC Project #169204 funded in FY09)
Project Number: 161024
Principal Investigator:
Talia McCray
(512) 471-2708
P.I. Affiliation: University of Texas at Austin
Project Monitor:
Todd Hemingson
VP Strategic Planning and Development
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 369-6036
Project Status: Active
Date Started: 9/1/09
Estimation Completion Date: 8/31/10
Estimated Cost - Current Fiscal: $39,000
Estimated Cost - Total Planned: $78,000
Project Summary:
Project Abstract:
In the Austin area travel time to destinations continues to rise during peak and off-peak hours. With increased congestion and higher gas prices, individuals are traveling more selectively and viewing public transit as a cost-saving alternative to the auto. However, a substantial number of Austinites remain solely tied to their cars for transportation. Reasons include the need to be independent, the inefficiency of Capital Metro bus routes (travel time and routes), condition of bus stops and the difficulty of accessing stops, and the fear of crime while waiting for a bus. This study proposes to explore these areas with an emphasis on perception of personal security at bus stops. Data collected from students, faculty, and staff during a pilot study at Huston-Tillotson University (HT) will be used to identify problematic areas. The study will explore models that can be used to link perceptions of personal security to travel behavior. GIS will be used to present the accessibility needs of HT students.
Project Objectives:
Studies have found that perceptions of personal security significantly impact the use of public space and modal choice. Perceived fear of crime is often very different from actual crime. This study will build upon data collected during a pilot study, which included approximately 200 surveys and four focus groups. The focus will be on analyzing the data in a regression model to explore how perceptions shape an individual’s willingness to use alternative modes to the car. In addition, GIS analyses will be done linking crime rate data, bus routes, home location of HT students, and HT. Spatial analyses will also incorporate Capital Metro’s long range planning for the east side of Austin, which is where the majority of students live.
Task Descriptions:
The first semester (Fall 09) will be used to set up the project. Graduate students will be hired and orientated to the goals of the study through weekly meetings with the PI. Tasks include assigned readings, review of HT Spring 09 data, and a review of Capital Metro’s ServicePlan2020.
The Fall semester will also be dedicated to exploring and developing mathematical models that can explore the internal and external factors that affect modal choice. Data used will include surveys and focus group data collected during the Spring 2009.
The UT team will explore ways of combining and/or connecting the many safety perception variables to variables that explain travel behavior, including modal choice and trips made.
Also during this time, the team will work with representatives from Capitol Metro in identifying problematic bus stops used by HT students. A survey, addressing perceptions of safety, will be developed to be distributed at bus stops around HT, home locations of HT students, and downtown.
The second semester (Spring 10) will be dedicated to carrying out the field work of visiting bus stops and problematic areas that HT students identified due to traffic, poor bus shelters, congregation of homeless persons, etc. The team will work directly with Capitol Metro in developing an evaluation process that may include surveying bus users. Our primary focus will be the built environment and how it effects perceptions of safety.
Task 1 (Sep/Oct/Nov):
Hire and train graduate students; perform a literature review; meet with Capitol Metro; begin the exploration of Spring 09 HT collected data, and identify problematic areas from focus group results. Practice using GPS units and develop a lab, focusing on data collecting of quality factors at bus stops, for the use of HT and UT future students.
Task 2 (Nov/Dec/Jan):
Continue with the development of safety perception lab, and explore collected Spring 09 HT data. Begin to develop models linking personal safety to travel behavior. Develop research tools for collection and analysis of field work during the Spring 2010.
Task 3 (Feb/Mar/Apr):
Continue to analyze data. Carry out field work. This work will primarily be an analysis of the built environment and a small sample of users at identified bus stops. Develop detailed GIS maps of data collected. During this process, we will work closely with Capital Metro and Mike Manor, a Capital Metro Board Member.
Task 4 (Apr/May/):
Continue to analyze data, write reports, and present findings at a May Symposium at HT.
Task 5 (Jun/Jul/Aug)
Analyze data, work on articles, prepare final SWUTC report
Index Terms: